On Monday, April 13, Slippery Rock University’s Student Government Association (SRSGA) met for a formal meeting at 5 p.m. in the Smith Student Center. SRSGA covered a wide variety of updates, from changes affecting student veterans to major campus programming and growing concerns about the future of humanities programs.
Campus Program Updates
Lacey Morio, senator at large, shared updates from the President’s Commission on Veterans and Military Affairs. The Veterans Center will be relocating from Eisenberg to the second floor of Carruth Rizza Hall starting in the fall semester. The move is intended to give veterans and military-affiliated students a more dedicated and quieter space on campus.
The commission also hosted three Green Zone trainings on March 24, March 31 and April 10. The training was designed to help faculty, staff and students better understand the transition from military to civilian life while highlighting campus resources. Attendees received certificates upon completion, and faculty members are expected to display them. The long-term goal is for each college to have a designated liaison who understands military service and can serve as a point of contact.
“The commission will be hosting a “Remember Everyone Deployed,” or RED, event during the Fall ’26 semester. The date and time for the event are unknown at this time, and the commission plans on buying red shirts for veterans to wear as a visualization for those who have been or are currently deployed,” Morio said.
Delaney Mehrtens, another senator at large, reported on the Commission on Women’s final meeting of the semester, held April 10. With a recent resignation, the commission will hold elections for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, including an open co-chair position. Members also discussed setting three major initiatives for the upcoming year, including an employee-focused effort, a community event in the Butler and Allegheny areas, and a university-wide program.
The commission also reflected on its Women and Allies of Distinction mentoring event, which saw 64 attendees out of an expected 75. The event featured guided conversations and short personal introductions, along with awards recognizing women and allies on campus. The next mentoring event is already scheduled for March 25, 2027.
Plans are also underway for a fall clothing drive aimed at supporting parents on campus and in the local community. Organizers are considering hosting both a weekday and weekend option to increase accessibility. Another initiative discussed was a Girls in STEM event, which aims to reintroduce programming for younger students interested in science, technology, engineering and math.
One of the more complex discussions during the meeting centered around childcare expansion. Ongoing conversations led by Dr. Michelle Amodei have highlighted challenges including limited space, age restrictions and difficulty securing broader support. The topic remains unresolved as discussions continue.
Student Events on the Rise
Julie Varnish, assistant director of student activities, also addressed SGA to highlight the impact of student programming funded through the organization. Varnish emphasized a strong rebound in student engagement, with attendance numbers increasing significantly over the past year.
UPB travel events have consistently sold out, including trips to Kennywood, Pittsburgh theater performances and a recent visit to Topgolf. On-campus programming has also drawn large crowds, including a bingo event that brought in 930 students and a recent appearance by Jordan Fisher with over 300 attendees. An upcoming event featuring Kesha sold out in just two days with 750 students claiming tickets.
Varnish explained that UPB has shifted away from traditional concerts due to rising production costs and instead focused on more varied and interactive programming that better reflects student interest. Collaboration has also been a priority, with multiple student organizations contributing to large-scale events like the upcoming “Slipperychella,” scheduled for April 28.
Rock the Weekend, another SGA-funded initiative, hosted 39 events this year with participation from dozens of student organizations, further expanding programming opportunities across campus.
Changes to Humanities Classes
While many updates focused on growth and engagement, the meeting also included emotional public comments from students and senators regarding the reported closure of the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program and broader concerns about humanities funding.
Ella Eyler, a College of Engineering and Science senator pursuing a second degree in modern languages, addressed the senate with concerns about what she described as plans to close or defund humanities programs. She emphasized that while she represents STEM students, she also feels responsible for advocating for those in the humanities.
“One program, in particular, that has deeply impacted students is the TESOL program, which stands for teaching English to speakers of other languages,” Eyler said. “Its closure affects not only those currently enrolled, but also students who had planned their academic futures around attending Slippery Rock’s TESOL program.”
Eyler pointed to the uncertainty now facing students who had planned to enter the program, adding, “Now they are left asking, what do we do next? Where do we go? What options do we have?”
She also raised concerns about the broader value of humanities education in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“There is a growing misconception that it can replace the need for language learning in human communication,” Eyler said. “However, the humanities provide something that artificial intelligence cannot replace. Genuine human connection and cultural understanding.”
Eyler argued that cutting programs like TESOL does more than reduce costs. “By removing programs like TESOL, we are not just cutting costs, but we are limiting opportunities, weakening communication, and turning away from the very diversity that defines our campus,” she said.
Following Eyler’s remarks, Nina Lee, a secondary education major and Japanese language minor, shared her personal experience discovering the program’s closure.
“I’m not kidding you when I tell you, I watched the color drop from his face,” Lee said, describing a conversation with a faculty member about her plans to pursue the program. “He told me disheartened-ly that the program had just been terminated.”
Lee said students were not formally notified of the decision. “No student was made aware of this decision until a few weeks ago. There was no email sent, no letter in the mail, nothing,” she said.
For students like Lee, the closure has disrupted carefully planned academic paths. “Most of my colleagues, including myself, plan out our college careers to a T,” she said. “But now, our goal post has been terminated, not moved, but completely destroyed.”
Lee also raised concerns about course availability and scheduling challenges within the humanities. She recounted overhearing a professor discuss a student who could not enroll in required classes due to cuts or limited offerings.
“Scheduling shouldn’t have to include five plus waivers or exceptions just to simply take the classes you need,” Lee said. “Nothing like this should ever be happening.”
Both speakers warned against what they see as a growing imbalance between STEM and humanities funding. While acknowledging the importance of STEM fields, they stressed that humanities programs play a critical role in communication, cultural understanding and creativity.
“If we get rid of all the humanities here on campus, you’ll only be left with machines,” Lee said, illustrating a scenario where language barriers and lack of cultural knowledge could hinder real world interactions.
Eyler closed her remarks by urging students to speak out and advocate for their programs. “This decision does not just affect a program. It affects futures. It affects voices. It affects whether students feel seen, supported and valued here,” she said.
Lee echoed that call to action. “Please speak out. Please offer solutions. Please advocate for us,” she said.
Student government leaders acknowledged the concerns and indicated that conversations with university administration are ongoing, with updates expected at a future meeting.
As the meeting closed, one message remained consistent across updates and public comments. Students are paying attention to the direction of the university and want to be part of the conversation shaping its future.
